Storage Tips

U-Store Mini Storage

4425 Hwy 101
(All Mail) PO Box 547
Florence, OR 97439 
541-997-7330

Helpful tips and hints for typical household storage.

If you have specific quesions or unusual items, please give us a call and we will be happy to help. 

What Not To Store

You may not store any items that are illegal, stolen, hazardous, flammable, combustible, explosive, perishable, environmentally harmful, or that may be a risk to any property or any person. This means no acid, gasoline, chlorine, paint, oil, cleaning fluids, paint thinner, lawn and garden chemicals and insecticides, etc. If you're storing any machinery that runs on gas, we suggest you drain the tank before you store it. No containers of any kind for gas, fuel, or propane may be stored. Do not store any food or perishables, (other than canned foods), to prevent pest investations.

Basics

Use actual packing/moving materials including sturdy, cardboard boxes, wardrobes boxes, bubble wrap, Styrofoam “popcorn”, newspaper, acid free tissue paper, rope, packing tape, and permanent ink markers. Using uniform size and shaped boxes made for moving will make packing, moving, stacking, and storing more efficient.

If you're storing a lot of boxes in your unit, fill them to the top, even if it's just with padding, (consider those linens and out of season clothes), and old, crumpled newspapers. Boxes that are only partially filled may collapse when stacked. Try to use boxes that are a uniform size and made for moving as they're easier to stack (remember; keep the heavy ones on the bottom and the light ones on top). Fill and balance all of the boxes you pack to capacity but be sure the box will close securely. Seal all boxes with actual packing/shipping tape. Other types of tape will dry and separate. Label each box on the top and sides with the specific contents and the room it came from or is going into. Heavy items likes books and dishes should be packed in their own boxes so that they will be easier to handle. Computers, electronic equipment, camera equipment, etc., should be carefully packed in their own cartons with the original packing foam. For items that are prone to rust, wipe them with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to retard rust. Be certain that all items to be stored are clean and free from anything that may attract pests.

Carefully Plan The Use and Layout of Your Storage Space.

You can easily get the most out of your storage area if you plan carefully. Try to pack like items together in boxes and store boxes from the same room together in your storage unit. Do not place heavy items on top of fragile items. Make sure you have easy access to the items you need to get to often by placing them near the opening of your storage space. Leave small walkways between the boxes and furniture in your storage unit so you can easily get to the items you want without having to move anything around. For added security, pack your storage unit so that your most valuable items are at the back.

The humidity in your self-storage unit can cause your furniture to warp and your appliances to mildew. Leaving a space between your stuff and the unit’s wall allows for air to circulate within the unit. Laying plastic sheeting on the floor and stacking boxes on top of wooden pallets can prevent condensation damage. So can using old linens or other fabrics, instead of plastic, to protect your furniture and larger items from dust. 

Major Appliances

Refrigerators, freezers, washers, driers, stoves, etc., should be clean and dry before you pack and store them. It is helpful to collect power cords, drains and connections, and ice maker tubing and tape to the appliance or store securely inside the appliance. If you're storing a refrigerator in your unit leave the door ajar to help prevent mold from growing inside. (Make sure to child proof the door so that it cannot be fully opened or accidentally closed. Don't allow the door to be opened enough for a child to get into the appliance, and then close the door. Suffocation resulting in death is possible. (If you choose to discard any of these items, make sure to remove doors completely so that a child cannot enter and close the door, resulting in suffocation and death.)

Home Furnishings

Use mothballs or other similar products to protect your clothing from insects and other pests. Use wardrobe boxes to hang clothes. Make sure that doors and drawers of your furniture are securely shut (use tape or rope and test to be sure it will not damage or mark the finish). When possible, remove the legs from furniture to avoid damage and save space. Vacuum your furniture and cover with a sheet or other cover to keep dust from collecting in the fabric.

Kitchen China, Glassware, Crystal, Etc.

Put packing material in the bottom of the box. Wrap each piece individually in tissue paper. Pack all of these items in such a way so that they are cushioned and won't bang against each other. Special segmented cartons are suggested for glassware and fragile pieces. Place plenty of loose Styrofoam or crunched up newspaper in the voids and cavities in the box as you pack. Put packing material in the top of the box and seal it with packing tape. Mark the boxes “fragile,” list contents, and identify which room they go into. Make sure not to place heavy boxes on these items to avoid crushing

Other Glass and Fragile Items (mirrors, windows, paintings, glass framed pictures)

Special cartons and packing materials are recommended. Ask us about our recommendations or check moving companies for available sizes and types of packing materials. Often, it is advisable to build a wood frame box to hold glass framed art, photographs and mirrors.

Silver, Gold, Brass, And Other Metal Objects

Put packing material in the bottom of the box. Wipe all surfaces clean. Wrap each piece individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap. Make sure that any wrapping or packing material used with these items is chemical and ink free. Seal boxes securely with packing tape. Mark the boxes “fragile” identify contents, and which room they go into. Make sure not to place heavy boxes on these items to avoid crushing.

Electronic Equipment, Home Entertainment, Personal Computers and Computer Peripheral Devices (printers, external drives, etc.), Cameras

In all cases, if you have the original box and packing material it came in, use it! The original packing is designed to protect the equipment during shipment and storage. It is helpful to label each cable and each connection type as you disassemble the peripherals and pack with the components. Put packing material in the bottom of the box. Wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap. Place plenty of loose Styrofoam or crunched up newspaper in the voids and cavities in the box as you pack. Put packing material in the top of the box and seal it with packing tape. Label and mark the boxes “fragile” and identify which room they go into. Make sure not to place heavy boxes on these items to avoid crushing.

Gardening, Power Tools, Power Equipment, etc. (things in your garage or shed: snow blowers, lawn mowers etc.)

Follow the instructions in your owner's manual or contact the original manufacturer if you no longer have the manual for advice. Remove all fuel, check lubricant levels or remove lubricant to avoid spillage. It's best to treat tools, metal items, and other equipment with rust protector first, or at least wipe them down with an oily rag. We do not recommend WD-40 as it is not intended to prevent rust. Do not put these items in boxes; however wrap them in plastic or cloth tarps and secure with rope or heavy tape. Label each item after covering. Do not put boxes or other heavy items on top of your mechanical items.

Document, books and files

Books should be packed flat to protect their spines, or, if packed vertically, with similar sized books and tightly so they cannot sag or move. Suitable archive boxes or packing cartons should be in sizes that can be carried and moved easily. Not only will you save space and offer the best protection for your goods or records, but your goods will also be easier to retrieve. Fill empty pockets in the boxes with packing materials. Make sure that all boxes are clearly labeled to easily identify contents. Lighter boxes should always be placed on top to prevent collapse of those underneath.Type your paragraph here.

​Try these tips to insure your items stay preserved in thier original condition for as long as you store them...